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Twilight twinkles in Historic Baker City

December 10, 2001 12:00 am

Firefighters took special pains to deliver Santa Claus to Baker City for Saturdays Twilight Christmas Parade. The Jolly One greeted the crowd from atop a fire truck. The last float was a crowd favorite, especially among the younger set. (Baker City Herald photograph by Mike Ferguson).

By MIKE FERGUSON

Of the Baker City Herald

While everybody else was shivering in chilly temperatures Saturday night, HBC program manager Diane Adams was sweating it out.

It was Adams job after the Twilight Christmas Parade to flip the switch that would she hoped illuminate the Community Christmas Tree.

We hadnt tested those lights in a week, since we got the tree back up after the Thanksgiving winds blew it down, she said. People may have been cold, but I was sweating like it was Mardi Gras.

As it turned out, Adams had no reason for concern. Thanks to the work of city crews and the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, the lights came on precisely on cue.

The event had been postponed from Dec. 1 because of high winds.

Saturdays parade may have competed with three other holiday parades those in Unity, Haines and Sumpter but still, 31 lighted entries traveled the parade route down Main Street.

People told me this years parade was short, but that they enjoyed it, Adams said.

Mels Discount Auto Parts entry a giant snowman was named best overall entry. The Agape Christian School float won for best use of this years theme, A Cowboy Christmas. The Baker Middle School marching band won for best use of music, alternating between Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Jingle Bells.

To qualify for consideration of a prize, entries had to be lighted, Adams said.